In Philippians 1:1-11 Paul begins his letter to the church in Philippi. This was a church that he, by the power of God, began in Acts 16. He adored them and wanted to encourage them. Even while he himself was in chains.

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Finding joy in a discouraging world. 

I’ve been looking forward to getting to preach this series. We’re going to walk through the book of Philippians together and see what it truly means to live a growing, faith-filled, sacrificing, joy-overflowing kind of life with Jesus.

In our day and time, we need the good news we see in the book of Philippians.

Discouraging World

We live in a world that is full of discouragement, right? I mean, I don’t know anyone who was super excited to be dealing with -31* with wind chill kind of days like this past week. 

But really, the storms in life are many.

There are times in our lives when we can feel helpless because of all the discouragement we deal with.

Whether it’s financial stress or relational conflict or countless examples of our culture rebelling against God, we can sometimes feel surrounded by discouragement. 

But in Philippians

But as we jump into Philippians, we’re going to see a completely different approach to the ups and downs of life and we’re going to, I believe, find joy in the midst of a discouraging world. 

We’re going to see what it means to walk with Jesus through difficulty. 

We’re going to see what it means to walk with Jesus in a culture of brokenness.

We’re going to cultivate a desire to see Christ lifted up and glorified above all else in all things through our lives.

Philippians 1:1-11

So let’s get busy, shall we?

If you have your Bible, go ahead and turn to Philippians 1. 

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus:

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons.

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, 4 always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 Indeed, it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ,11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.